February 9, 2024
Bismarck, ND – Today, Retire Congress North Dakota has submitted more than 42,000 signatures in a ballot initiative for age limits on congressional candidates representing North Dakota. The number of signatures submitted far exceeds the 31,164 required for a measure to be qualified for the ballot.
The proposed amendment, if approved by the voters during the June 11 primary election, would prohibit anyone who would attain the age of 80 years old or older while in office from being elected to represent the state of North Dakota in the U.S. Congress. The proposed amendment, if passed, would not impact any current North Dakota congressional office holders eligible for reelection in 2024.
Retire Congress North Dakota is a grassroots organization chaired by Jared Hendrix, who was integral in passing term limits on North Dakota’s governor and the state legislature.
“With no term limits for Congress and the age and cognitive skills of elected officials taking center stage as of late, many are calling for age limits for Congress,” said Hendrix. “North Dakotans, regardless of political identity, believe that age limits are needed as evidenced by the substantial number of petitions signed by North Dakota residents,” he added.
Current polling shows that more than half of the Americans support a maximum age limit for elected officials to hold office.
This measure is not without precedent. In North Dakota, state judges are not eligible for full retirement benefits if they don’t retire by 73. A majority of the states have certain restrictions on judges that include mandatory retirements incentivized through loss of certain retirement benefits if they do not retire by age 65 or 70. There are already minimum age requirements in place. This initiative simply sets an upper limit as well.
This measure is not about any particular politician,” concluded Hendrix. “It’s about the principle itself.”
Once approved by voters, age limits on congressional candidates would be effective Jan. 1, 2025.
Retire Congress North Dakota is a grassroots organization of citizens from across our state chaired by Jared Hendrix. Find out more at Retire Congress North Dakota.